Monthly Archives: March 2012

Devotional

I will appoint Peace

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A Community of Love     Isaiah 60: 17-22

Prayer for the Day:
Lord God, your promises give us hope each day, even with the devastation and violence and destruction all around us. Help us to find ways to share that hope with those who have lost so much. We watch for your everlasting light even in the darkest skies, and give thanks.

Question for reflection:
What can you do today to help someone who is living under a very dark sky?

~ Donna Kline, Director of Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


 

 

Devotional

Water, Water, Everywhere

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A Community of Love    Numbers 20:1-13

Prayer for the Day:
Lord, you flow within us and keep our spirits alive. So to, does water flow within us and keep our bodies alive. May we think of you in our own lives and in others lives as we drink from our cups. And when there is a drought in our life may you rain your flowing presence over us so that we may live to make this world better. Amen.

Question for reflection:
How has God flowed into your life? What dry place in your life has God rehydrated?

~ Catherine Gong, Coordinator of 2012 Workcamp Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

From Bitter to Sweet

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A Community of Love    Exodus 15:  22-27

Prayer for the Day:
Creator God, we are blessed with sweet water that flows from you to our spirits. It quenches the bitter thirst we have from aches and pains that only you know of. We remember those affected by too much and too little water; and we pray that they may quench their bitter thirst with the sweet water you give to us, and to all. Amen.

Question for reflection:
Have you ever been in a situation when something scarce was ‘sweet’ but when it became abundant was ‘bitter’?

~ Catherine Gong, Coordinator of 2012 Workcamp Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

‘John 3:16’

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A Community of Love  John 3: 14-21

Prayer for the Day:
Dear Lord, help us to see and interpret your love and works in our lives. May we find the beauty in all things and may we not only receive your love, but also to share it with others unconditionally. For your love is powerful. It brings us out of the darkness that at times surrounds us. It brings us together at times when we are at odds with one another. And it brings us hope every day. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Question for reflection:
When have you had to make the ‘choice of light and love over darkness and evil’?

~ Catherine Gong, Coordinator of 2012 Workcamp Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

How Can These Things Be?

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A Community of Love    John 3: 1-13

Prayer for the Day:
God, help us to see and appreciate your miraculous works. We live in a world of technology and reason and get lost in endless data and facts. Help us to be willing to get lost in the unknown and find, feel, and follow your guidance. Envelop us with your love. Amen.

Question for reflection:
How can we open ourselves to events that may not seem ‘logical’ to us?

~ Catherine Gong, Coordinator of 2012 Workcamp Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

Adopted Into God’s Family

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A Community of Love     Ephesians 1: 3-14
He destined us for adoption as his children . . . (Eph. 1:5a).

Prayer for the Day:
God of all hope, we thank you for every spiritual blessing. We dwell in the mystery and love of you adopting us. Bless our sharing with others the joy we know. Amen.

Question for reflection:
Knowing you are adopted, how will you view God and yourself differently?

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Thank God!

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A Community of Love   Psalm 107

Prayer for the Day:
Thanks, O God, for your steadfast love. Because of you we have known mercy and hope. Your saving grace, your healing presence, and self-giving love are more than we can imagine. Loving God, we seek the better way you have shown us in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Question for reflection:
How do our neighbors see in us the Jesus who does not condemn, but the Jesus who desires to reconcile all?

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Wide Open to the World

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A Community of Love   Mark 11: 15-19

Prayer for the Day:
Loving God we enter your temple because it is your place. We confess that sometimes we act as if your house is our place. At times our actions deny your love and deform the transforming activity of Spirit. We truly seek forgiveness. O reconciling Christ, may it be our passion to provide sacred space and extend love to all people of the world! Amen.

Question for reflection:
In what ways is my congregation good news to the whole community or a chaplaincy ministry to its members? What are the implications for me?

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Opening Doors

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A Community of Love   2 Chronicles 29: 1-11, 16-19

Prayer for the Day:
To you, O God, we sing your praises and present our prayers. Pour out your Spirit on your people that we may follow a vision you set before us. God, keep our hope centered in Jesus Christ. Grant us peace and strength in our lives so others may partake in the vision of love and joy you offer to all. Amen.

Question for reflection:
In what new ways have others found your congregation to be safe and sacred space?

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

Self-Care is a Spiritual Discipline

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A Community of Love   1 Corinthians 3: 10-23

Prayer for the Day:
O eternal God, often we have not seriously taken your promise to dwell within our hearts and be with us in every facet of our lives. God, you deliver us from our devices that hold us captive to experience healing and love. We are God’s temple even while under construction. Faithful God, you furnish the material for our growth. With your ever-present Spirit extend our ministry beyond what our eyes see and our hearts may embrace. Amen.

Question for reflection:
What implication(s) does it have for me that I am a part of God’s sacred temple and have received a gift of the Spirit?

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.